Artist Projects

4 Elements: collaboration in paint

4 ELEMENTS tracks the process of creating a large-scale collaborative painting that spans the walls at PS Project Space, 548 W 28th St. 3rd fl. NYC 10001, from February 2nd - March 11th 2012. Artists Nic Bevilacqua, Justin Brunelle, Fletcher Crossman, and Paul Seftel combine their four distinct styles into a fluid exploration of new possibilities.

Preview reception on February 16th, 2012 from 6 to 8:30 pm, Closing exhibition March 8th, 2012 from 6 to 8:30 pm.

Four artists in Chelsea are experimenting with a whole new approach to creating a painting. All four will be collaborating on a single piece, and it’s a huge one – thirty five feet long and traversing the entire walls of PS Project Space.

The project is entitled 4 Elements and will be created over the course of four weeks. Each of the four artists in the group has a distinct visual language and contrasting approach to painting. They all share inner elements of artistic tradition - the realist, the abstract, free-drawing, and conceptual symbolism – and are excited to discover what happens when such varied approaches combine.

“It helps that we all respect each other’s work,” says Fletcher Crossman. “We all share a passion for exploring new directions. It comes to life when we leave our egos at the door and attempt to create as a single organism. What a fascinating dynamic.”

For the initial stage the artists have lined the walls with 8 ft high canvases and are deliberately avoiding planning what kind of image to create. The actual process of applying paint will be left to develop organically, with the artists learning how to work as part of mutually beneficial team.

“Painting is usually a solo activity,” says Nic Bevilacqua, “and you’re in total control of the outcome. 4 Elements is about releasing that control and seeing if what comes out is better than the sum of its parts. It happens when rock bands play together, so it’ll be interesting how that happens here.”

"This project is engaging for me in both artistic and social terms," adds Justin Brunelle. "While collaboration may be a dance of many rhythms under a shared umbrella, ultimately, fusion is the goal."

“I’m excited by how organically this project is coming together.” says Paul Seftel. “Justin, Nic and Fletch all have great vision and energy, it’s not simply a mural we are creating, but a projection of some minds across the walls of space. It’s limitless.”